(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Kim Coble, Vice President, Environmental Protection and Restoration, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, issued this statement following today's bipartisan approval by 19-1 of The Water Resources Development Act of 2016 by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee:

"Because of the leadership of Sen. Ben Cardin, this legislation will strengthen the regional plan to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. Sen. Cardin understands that to make a real difference for the Bay, we need improvements across multiple sectors. What we do to reduce polluted runoff from our communities has a direct bearing on our waters and the species which live there.

"Thanks to Sen. Cardin's work on The Water Resource Development Act, the bill provides important tools and resources for states and municipalities to achieve their restoration goals in the regional clean-up plan called the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. Municipalities will have additional flexibility as they implement practices to reduce polluted runoff. In addition, it provides crucial support to oyster restoration efforts, allowing the Army Corps of Engineers to continue applying its expertise in collaboration with state, federal, and private partners."

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